Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival Returns This April
The Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival will once again shine a spotlight on the people, places and stories of the region when it runs from 18 to 26 April 2026.
Spanning ten towns, including Nannup, Balingup, Walpole, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Donnybrook, Greenbushes, Manjimup, Pemberton and Northcliffe, the festival invites the community and visitors alike to step into the past and experience heritage in engaging and creative ways.
The festival program brings together a diverse mix of exhibitions, open days, talks, trails and immersive experiences, celebrating both built and natural heritage across the Southern Forests & Valleys.
In Nannup, locals and visitors can enjoy the Nannup Open Air Museum, featuring heritage-themed window displays and limited-edition postcards available throughout the festival. The popular Discover Nannup’s Stories project will also be showcased, sharing 20 local oral histories through QR codes displayed in shopfronts and at the Library and Historical Society.
Across the region, festival-goers can explore highlights such as:
- The Halls Heritage Tour on Sunday 26 April, celebrating the social and cultural role of historic community halls.
- Boyup Brook’s Terrific Teapots, a quirky and much-loved private collection of over 5,000 teapots.
- The Bridgetown Police Station & Orcharding Museum Open Days, offering free entry on selected dates.
- Manjimup Dark Corners, where history comes alive after dark through innovative storytelling and technology.
- The Understory Art & Nature Trail in Northcliffe, an award-winning forest walk blending art, story and environment.
- Museum open days across multiple towns, including Greenbushes, Pemberton, Donnybrook and Northcliffe.
Sporting heritage will also be celebrated, with events such as the Northcliffe Karri Cup MTB Challenge, now in its 32nd year, recognising decades of community involvement and local pride.
From ancient forests and heritage trails to pioneer stories, classic cars and community halls, the Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival offers something for everyone, encouraging people to connect with the region’s history and with each other.
The festival is an opportunity to reflect on where we’ve come from while celebrating the communities that continue to shape the Southern Forests & Valleys today.
📍 Festival dates: 18–26 April 2026
ℹ️ Full program and event details: www.southernforestsandvalleys.com
Source: Key Highlights – Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival /Profiles/nannup/Assets/ClientData/Key_Highlights_SF_V_Heritage_Festival.pdf